Katharine McPhee teams with Malaria No More

Katharine McPhee has become a spokesperson for Malaria No More. "I finish taping the first season of Smash in New York City sometime in the middle of March, and at that point I will be getting ready to travel to a country Africa to fulfill my duties," Katharine tells USA TODAY's Christie Garton. "No matter where I go, I'll be involved in helping people, especially the young, get vaccinated and helping put mosquito nets up.

According to a recent report from the World Health Organization, malaria rates have been reduced by 17% since 2000 and malaria-related deaths by 26% across the globe.

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About Brian Mansfield

Nashville-based Brian Mansfield began writing about music for USA TODAY in 1997 and took over Idol Chatter just before the start of Season 8. He co-authored Make Me a Star: Industry Insiders Reveal How to Make It in Music, and while he has never auditioned for American Idol, he did sing Boot Scootin' Boogie at Disney World's American Idol Experience the day the attraction opened (he lost). More about Brian | E-mail Brian